Countdown to Kildare People of the Year Awards 2016 - meet the finalists

Marie Kelly, Naas 

LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD 2016

It’s hard to compile the incredible contribution of Marie Kelly to the community of Naas and beyond. Married to John for almost 53 years, the couple raised four children but Marie’s community work never waned. She has served on Naas Care of the Aged committee for 39 years, organising parties and outings for the senior citizens, giving knitting, arts and crafts classes, along with supporting the Bingo. Her stamina has never weakened and she has supported the work with the elderly at Kerdiffstown for 38 years.

Whilst raising a family, she still managed to be in the Order of Malta for 15 years and worked for two years in the hospital in Lourdes. She was on Naas Twinning Committee for 16 years where she travelled across Europe to each of the twinning towns. And God knows, she is light on her feet, having been a member of Nás Na Ríogh Irish figure dancers for 34 years along with having her own set dancing group for 36 years. Indeed, she still runs it on a part-time basis providing entertainment and set dancing competition all around the country and beyond.

Not only does she support the Liscarroll Donkey Sanctuary but also the Guide Dogs Association, but Marie has also worked consistently with the Lions’ Club, St Vincent’s in Athy, Meals on Wheels, Scouts, the Acorn Club at the Adult Education Centre, Naas Knitting Group and in between, she is writing a book on her beloved Newtown where she grew up. Marie still finds time to pursue a multitude of her favourite hobbies, along with teaching them to others. Marie Kelly, busiest little beaver in Naas and no doubt, her beloved John is looking down tonight with pride – well done, Marie, Naas is proud of you.

Kevin ‘Pud’ Barrett

VOLUNTEER OF THE YEAR AWARD 2016

Newbridge man, Kevin ‘Bud’Barrett is well-known on the music circuit, as a performer and co-ordinator of musical events locally. Kevin has unselfishly given of his time and talents to so many parish initiatives and community fundraising ventures over the past 10 years. He has been active in his local parish as a Baptism Minister, with Meals on Wheels, Newbridge Parish Choir and the local Children’s Gospel Choir. He participated at Bluebells & Buskers in Rathangan plus Newbridge June Fest - both he and wife Noreen are so supportive of all community work.

Kevin describes himself as a ‘home-maker’ and the couple have three children with Noreen being the Principal of Scoil na Naomh Uilig, Newbridge. In 2008 a new initiative, Care and Repair was introduced to Newbridge Parish under the franchise of Age Action and Kevin became Chairperson. For four years, the team built up a network of tradespeople and handymen to carry out ‘small jobs for the over 65s.

In 2011, Newbridge Gospel Choir was formed and Kevin became their resident musician. In recent years, they’ve supported fundraising events for SVP, St Brigid’s Hospice, The Samaritans, Hope D, Maintain Hope and the Lion’s Club. Apart from his work with the choir, Kevin has further fundraised for the Alzheimer’s Support Group, Newbridge Cancer Support Group, and he enjoys working with Peter Hussey and Kildare Youth Theatre. Last year, Kevin had to cast aside the guitar and dance in aid of Scoil na Naomh Uilig, not quite so easy! He supports Relay for Life and Newbridge Parish Day at the Curragh, and distributes News ‘n Views for the locality.

Using his musical talents and practical skills, Kevin, you’ve lightened the load of many a citizen in recent years. Kildare’s Volunteer of the Year, Kevin Pud Barrett from Newbridge.

Aubrey McCarthy

ADVOCATE OF THE YEAR AWARD 2016

A well-known business man in Co Kildare, Aubrey McCarthy’s ability to spot a useful contact, unwanted goods or dependable volunteers has proven invaluable in his work with Tiglin Rehabilitation Centre. Tiglin offers rehabilitation services for persons trying to cast off the grip of addiction - alcohol, illegal drugs, prescribed drugs, gambling, cross addictions, etc. Voluntary work with the Salvation Army led Aubrey to Scotland to view a rehab programme. Together with Newbridge man, Philip Thompson the pair set about purchasing the old Tiglin mountaineering centre in Ashford which opened in 2008. Two years later, the adjacent hostel property was purchased for a female centre and the existing eight bed facility moved from Newbridge.

Aubrey and Philip were an integral part of driving this start-up. The generosity of Kildare donors and volunteers was awesome. Companies upgrading or downgrading offered office furniture, computers, gym equipment whilst trades people offered services free of charge. Furniture and flooring were offered; builder’s providers donated end of line electrical goods, and in no time, the male and female centres were up and running.

Tiglin today has a 30 bed campus for men with a 12 bed facility for women (at Brittas Bay). Tiglin offers counselling and psychological intervention serviceS, a fully equipped IT suite; third level courses; on-site dentistry, sports facilities and provides a re-integration housing facility for the next phase of the programme.

Every week, you’ll see Aubrey in Dublin City Centre with Kildare volunteers feeding and chatting to the homeless at the Outreach ‘No Bucks Café’. Chair of Tiglin Rehabilitation Centre, Aubrey is Vice chair of ECRDATF (East Coast Regional Drugs & Alcohol Task Force); Chair of ECRDATF T&R (Treatment and Rehabilitation) committee and DCM Board along with operating the Homeless service ‘The Lighthouse Restaurant’.

Notably, Tiglin has a record of 78% success of residents exiting the programme, 78% who stay sober, clean and reclaim their lives back. Aubrey McCarthy, Advocate of the Year 2016.

Check out Kildare Now tomorrow for further details of the awards, to be hosted on Friday night at the Keadeen Hotel, Newbridge. Featured photograph shows Evelyn Moyles (Judging Panel) with members of St John's Ambulance North Kildare Division, Matt Browne, Awards Co-ordinator and Marie Kelly, award winner 2016 at this year's launch.

All photos by Dessie Boland.